Solution Summary: Wet Abrasive Blaster
A wet abrasive blaster is an equipment used to pressure clean, texture or abrade surfaces with a blasting media mixed with water.
Description:
Using sand or alternative abrasives to clean, texture or abrade concrete, masonry materials or painted materials generates large amounts of dust which may contain high levels of crystalline silica, lead, and creates a hazard for everyone in the vicinity. Using an abrasive containing little or no silica does not eliminate the hazard when silica-containing paint, concrete or masonry is cleaned or abraded. Wet abrasive blasting is a control option for dust generated while cleaning, texturing or abrading silica-containing materials. These controls mix water and abrasive before propelling them toward the work surface and reduce airborne dust levels.
Water Induction Nozzle (WIN®) double venturi bore nozzles
- Used for wet or dry blasting with existing pressure blast equipment
- Water supply: ¾ to 6 quarts per minute through a 3/4 inch hose connection
- Sound pressure level: Not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
Model Number | Thread Style | Bore Diameter, inches | Air Supply Requirement, cfm | Length, inches |
WIN-3 | 1-1/4 – 11-1/2 N.P.S.M. | 3/16 | 45 | 5 |
WIN-4 | ¼ | 80 | 5-3/4 | |
WIN-5 | 5/16 | 140 | 6-1/4 | |
WIN-6 | 3/8 | 200 | 6-3/4 | |
WIN-7 | 7/16 | 255 | 8-1/4 | |
WIN-8 | ½ | 340 | 9 | |
WIN-450 | 2 – 4-1/2 U.N.C. | ¼ | 80 | 5-3/4 |
WIN-550 | 5/16 | 140 | 6-1/4 | |
WIN-650 | 3/8 | 200 | 6-3/4 | |
WIN-750 | 7/16 | 255 | 8-1/4 | |
WIN-850 | 1/2 | 340 | 9 |
cfm = cubic feet per minute
SN BP200 Water Induction Nozzle (WIN®) double venturi bore nozzles
- Used for wet or dry blasting with existing pressure blast equipment
- Water supply: ¾ to 6 quarts per minute through a 3/4 inch hose connection
- Sound pressure level: Not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
Model Number | Thread Style | Bore Diameter, inches | Length, inches |
SN BP200 WIN-3 | 1-1/4 – 11-1/2 N.P.S.M. | ¼ | 5.75 |
SN BP200 WIN-5 | 5/16 | 6.25 | |
SN BP200 WIN-6 | 3/8 | 6.74 | |
SN BP200 WIN-7 | 7/16 | 8.27 | |
SN BP200 WIN-8 | 1/2 | 9.05 | |
SN BP200 WIN-450 | 2 – 4-1/2 U.N.C. | ¼ | 5.75 |
SN BP200 WIN-550 | 5/16 | 6.25 | |
SN BP200 WIN-650 | 3/8 | 6.74 | |
SN BP200 WIN-750 | 7/16 | 8.27 | |
SN BP200 WIN-850 | 1/2 | 9.05 |
Mini Water Induction Nozzle (WIN®) series tungsten carbide nozzles
- Used for wet or dry blasting with existing pressure blast equipment
- Water supply: ¾ to 6 quarts per minute through a 3/4 inch hose connection
- Sound pressure level: Not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
Model Number | Thread Style | Bore Diameter, inches | Length, inches |
Mini WIN-2 | 3/4-14 N.P.S.M. | 1/8 | 3-1/2 |
Mini WIN-3 | 3/16 | ||
Mini WIN-4 | ¼ | ||
Mini WIN-5 | 5/16 | ||
Mini WIN-6 | 3/8 |
Torbo wet abrasive blasting systems with lower volume tanks
- Used for a wide variety of surface cleaning and wet abrasive blasting work
- Standard blasting media mixture: 80% blasting media / 20% water
- Blasting hose: 1-1/4 inch
- Sound pressure level: Not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
Models | Costs | Volume of Vessel, cubic feet | Air Supply | Water Supply, pounds per square inch | Blasting Media Consumption Rate, cubic feet per hour | Weight, pounds |
Torbo S080 | Call for a quote | 2.6 | 70 to 175 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 0.6 to 4.5 | 1,100 |
Torbo M080 | Call for a quote | 2.6 | 70 to 350 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 0.6 to 4.5 | 1,100 |
Torbo S120 | Call for a quote | 4.2 | 70 to 175 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 0.9 to 9 | 1,100 |
Torbo M120 | $18,000 - $21,000 | 4.2 | 70 to 350 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 0.9 to 9 | 1,100 |
Torbocar AC25 | Call for a quote | 2.6 | 106 cfm at 102 psi* | Onboard water tank | 0.6 to 4.5 | 4,400 |
Torbocar AC37 | Call for a quote | 4.2 | 134 cfm at 102 psi* | Onboard water tank | 0.9 to 9 | 4,400 |
cfm = cubic feet per minute
psi = pounds per square inch
*air is supplied by an onboard compressor
Torbo wet abrasive blasting systems with higher volume tanks
- Used for a wide variety of surface cleaning and wet abrasive blasting work
- Standard blasting media mixture: 80% blasting media / 20% water
- Blasting hose: 1-1/4 inch
- Blasting media consumption rate: 0.9 to 9 cubic feet per hour
- Sound pressure level: Not available but likely to exceed 90 dBA (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average)
Models | Costs | Volume of Vessel, cubic feet | Air Supply | Water Supply, pounds per square inch | Weight, pounds |
Torbo L200 | Call for a quote | 7.0 | 70 to 385 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 2,200 |
Torbo XL200 | Call for a quote | 7.0 | 70 to 385 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 2,200 |
Torbo L320 | Call for a quote | 11.4 | 70 to 385 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 2,200 |
Torbo XL320 | $32,000 - $34,000 | 11.4 | 70 to 385 cfm at 56 to 140 psi | 0 to 170 | 2,200 |
Torbocar AC52 | Call for a quote | 7.0 | 219 cfm at 102 psi* | Onboard water tank | 4,400 |
Torbocar AC76 | Call for a quote | 11.4 | 268 cfm at 102 psi* | Onboard water tank | 4,400 |
cfm = cubic feet per minute
psi = pounds per square inch
*air is supplied by an onboard compressor
Hydroblaster Abrasive Application Unit (AAU)
Used with a separate pressure washer to create a wet abrasive blasting system
Media capacity: 2.7 cubic feet
Weight: 52 pounds
Risks Addressed:
Silica dust exposure may cause silicosis or lung scarring with prolonged exposure. Silicosis is an incurable, sometimes fatal, disease. OSHA has a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for exposure to respirable crystalline silica of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) based on an 8-hour time weighted average. Silica has also been associated with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
How Risks are Reduced:
The abrasive media, which has traditionally been sand, is combined with water prior to leaving the nozzle. In some cases, the water is the propellant and in some cases compressed air is the propellant. When the abrasive media has been mixed with water, the fine dust and silica particles that exist in the abrasive and result from the media impacting the target material are heavier and settle to the ground before they can be inhaled. Silica and dust are only hazardous if inhaled and are not hazardous for skin contact. As long as the dust does not become airborne, the hazard is reduced.
Other hazardous materials, such as lead in paint may also be present in dust from abrasive blasting. Any control that reduces dust exposure will reduce exposures to all contaminants in the abrasive and in the surface being abraded.
Effects on Productivity:
Additional Considerations:
Abrasive blasting performed in the state of California must employ engineering controls, either wet methods or local exhaust ventilation, unless the employer can show that exposures are below the permissible exposure limit (subchapter 4, article 4, section 1530.1). New Jersey has a similar prohibition of dry cutting or grinding of masonry (Chapter 172).
Availability
BlastOne
To obtain information, visit The Mist Blaster
or contact 1-800-999-1881
Water Induction Nozzle (WIN®) double venturi bore nozzles
To obtain information, visit http://www.surfacepreparation.com
or contact 1-800-899-3872
SN BP200 Water Induction Nozzle (WIN®) double venturi bore nozzles
To obtain information, visit http://www.surfaceprepsolutions.com
or contact 1-800-899-3872
Hydroblaster Abrasive Application Unit (AAU)
To obtain information, visit http://www.hydroblaster.com
or contact 1-800-247-8424 info@hydroblaster.com
Torbo wet abrasive blasting systems
contact 1-817-685-7090 sales@torbousa.com